The towers and turrets of Duckett’s Grove rise up like a vision from an Arthurian legend set in a luxuriant sweep of countryside near Carlow. It would be worth a trip for the arresting sight of this ruined 1830 Gothic revival castle alone, even without reward of a visit to the restored walled gardens and adjoining pleasure grounds.

With the fantasy castle built around the 18th C home of the Duckett family and designed by Thomas Cobden as a backdrop, the extensive walled gardens features traditional box edge beds and lawns traversed by gravel paths. In the upper garden the planting schemes, designed in consultation with Finola Reid, are magnificent and provide a lovely inspiration for plant associations.

Firey crocosmias spark beside sultry Sambucus nigra ‘Guincho Purple’, drifts of purple sage are interspersed with Knautia macedonica bronze fennel and blushing old fashioned roses. Look closely and you will see that the south facing brick-lined walls, now sheltering choice plants like watsonia, eryngium, phygelius and beschornaria , are still embedded with the old fruit nails and vine eyes.

The lower garden is planted with fruit trees and shrubs including historical varieties of Irish apple trees like Irish Peach and Kerry Pippin.

The pleasure grounds, partly enclosed with unique‘Carlow Fence’ made from vertical stones;recreates the Georgian idyll of romantic groves with paths shaded by native trees. Look out for Ireland’s largest castellated gateway on the road to Carlow. Duckett’s Grove was acquired by Carlow County Council in 2005 and the gardens were opened in 2007, markets are held in the stable yard at the weekends.

Open April –October 10.00 am to 5.30pm.Nov March until 4.00pm. Admission free.